(foreign language), U.S. The usage can be one of three overall categories, each of which have some limitations: When the way in which unit insignia was painted on vehicles changed, orders would be issued on how to implement these orders. . To conserve paint, the background was not to be painted. The Wehrmacht used a wide range of tactical markings during the war, and actually changed some partway through. While the order clearly stated that the SS party, and national colors decals were to be removed photographic evidence shows the use of double decal helmet until the end of the war. It appears that the application of was found to be difficult, and new water transfer decals were developed. Most were used to identify the type of unit the vehicle was a part of (such as recon, signals, heavy tank battalion, etc) and individual tactical symbols and insignia used to identify the division or regiment the vehicle belonged to. These photos generally represent the condition of the inventory. This example below comes from the side of a German Luftshutz (Civil defence) gas mask and is clear to read WaA104. For each insignia, an example is shown together with a table of information. Collectors of Mauser K98 rifles are always on the lookout for firearms with interesting markings. All division staff vehicles with a small divisional flag. It adds a level of personal interest and detail to what otherwise is a fairly strait-forward item. Panzer-Division, 1943. WW1 Austro-Hungarian helmet manufacturers and their codes. In addition to the rhombus, tactical numbers, and unit symbols, the Wehrmacht featured the ubiquitous Balkenkreuz (lit. Both of the below images appear to be out of books and are generally used by collectors as the go to reference when discussing waffenamt variations. The second most important marking is the date. After the invasion of Poland in 1939, changes to the use of decals would come again. Letters From that point on the factories would produce one type of helmets, painted field gray with no decal which could be issued to all troops regardless of branch of service. In metal it is often easier to read the waffenamp codes as they were crispy engraved and assuming the item remains in good condition, the markings should be readable.WW2 German P38 Credit: D&B Militaria. Depending on when it was made, there was also information about . How to Use Classifieds - PLEASE READ FIRST ! Police units who received helmets without decals applied the decals themselves when decals were available. In this blog post, we will discuss how to decipher Mauser K98 markings. The Bakelite version of the buckle is very rare. By halting the application of the decal the factory could save time and money. The color of the sub-unit name and the tactical signs is white for major units (yellow for tank and armored infantry divisions), and green for higher command units and army level combat units. Most people, even those who know little about the history of WWII can easily recognize one of these helmets. On other motor vehicles, the insignia was to be painted on the front left and rear right mudguards.248. Other vehicles might have had slightly different variants, for example if the paint job was damaged and quickly repaired. Codes & Markings As with the decals worn by the Wehrmacht, there are subtle difference between decals applied at the five different factories which manufacture helmets for the SS. Unlock the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester Serial Number, Complete Buyers Guide to the Sig Sauer P228. Bolt Removal [1] : 54. Large . Military Main Page; . The second number shows the platoon its part of, so is part of the 3rd Panzer platoon. Ban on openly flying command flags, including those on staff cars. In same cases the swastikas were white. A hand written notation on the letter indicates the order had received approval from theReichswehrministry. All contents copyright Christian Ankerstjerne 2001-2023, unless otherwise stated. Preperations were to be made to be able to change the insignia at a later time, but only examples of the first phase have been observed. Finally, many Panzer crews would try to provide air identification for friendly aircraft so that they could focus on other units by displaying a swastika on the top portions of their vehicles. The smooth painted used on helmets proved to reflect sun light, and the highly visible national colors decal without a doubt was used by Polish marksmen to great effect. Black-and-white photgraphs can only be used to detemine shape, not color, as color can't be reliably interpreted from grayscales. Infanterie-Division 7. Suffice to say there are differences and for any collector who wishes to add an original SS helmet to their collection it is imperative that they understand these differences. Each number represents the year that it came into service with the M35 replacing the WW1 helmets in July of 1935. As these insignia changed during the war, it can sometimes be unclear when different insignia were used. A brief explanation of the logic behind Luftwaffe fighter markings - this video should help you quickly identify where an individual aircraft sits within the. 1776 - 1941 Each manufacturer has their own unique stamp. Proof marks indicate that the firearm has been tested for quality control purposes. All of this, once again, was intended to obfuscate the structure of the unit being fought and deny the enemy the ability to clearly determine which vehicles had officers in them. In 1940 actually, end of thirty-nine, early forty, the Nazis decided to dress up their proof marks, and so they took the crown N proof mark and turned it into an eagle N proof mark. - Basics The order states that this measure is being taken for camouflage purposes, and recommended that those units which were unable to acquire matte field gray paint should camouflage their helmets by means of smearing the finish with mud and clay or use a net or cover. . The K98 has a longer barrel than the K98k, which makes it slightly more accurate. Free shipping on many items . | texts and commercials on auxiliary vehicles to be removed (unscrewing the advertisement shield) or covered (boarding over with cardboard, etc. Markings Panzer-Division 10. From this point on the use of hand rendered insignia would diminish in favor of printed decals. The K98 was the standard rifle of the German army during World War II. 1 p. H Gr Sd Abt. The so-called ersatz koppelschloss des Heer, was used mainly for Volkssturm etc. World War II. A original black painted Austin 8 from 1936. BayonetCollectors.org, Recommended The decal for the left side of the helmet would have an eagle with folded down wings clutching a swastika in its talons, the very symbol of the new regime. Fallschirmjgerdivision (4th Airborne Division), 5. WWII German Codes And Markings WWII GERMAN CODES AND MARKINGS Compiled from various sources which may not agree on marking details. Armeeoberkommando 9, 1944. This normally came along with a number to show the original manufacturer . Our Sitemap. Proof marks are usually found on the receiver, barrel, or stock. From the comical Sargent Schultz of Hogans Heros fame to more recent films Hollywood has cemented the double decal helmet as the predominate headgear of the WWII German soldier into the consciousnesses of modern culture. Undoubtedly this would have been easier to apply to the helmet then painting the cross anchor insignia by hand. 919mm Parabellum. I a - 1357/43 g. Kdos.. BArch RH 22/315. In this case, the markings will be either the manufacturers code and/or date of production or the rifles serial number. Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. Number of Views: 23496, Das Heereswaffenamt (Detailed Listing of German WaA Markings and Codes). Browse articles, see items for sale around the world, or check out our worldwide events calendar. Book Recommendations What is known is that a statement issued from theReichpresidentonApril 19th of 1922 made reference to a shield shaped insignia orWrappenschildwhich would display the colors of the providence where the units was assembled. Military markings on United States army vehicles were upgraded in August 1942 when specific new rules were adopted. These lateReichswehrhelmet are unique as surviving originals show a mixture of hand rendered insignia and insignia in decal form. Its a very diverse and complex area of study, due to the sometimes surprising lack of standardization, but one that is fascinating to learn about and its my desire and hope that others can appreciate and notice these details in the future, for those who take the time to integrate them into their work. Up next is a WW2 German gas mask. Phase one, two, and three of the insignia of Armee-Abteilung Kempf. It should not be surprising that the decision was made at the same time as an order to discontinue helmets painted in Luftwaffe blue-gray. The K98k is a shorter and lighter version of the K98 that was introduced in 1935. The direct supply permit was issued in December 1944, a few months before the end of the Reich. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. On wheeled vehicles, the insignia was to be painted near the tactical sign on the left front mudguard, as well as the rear and the left side of the vehicle. Insignia were usually painted without a background color, but there were exceptions. ** Not the actual item pictured. How to Identify a Fake WWII Helmet. Motor vehicles of the motor transport units are to be equipped with march insignia. Infanterie-Division 5. The Germans are famous for their detail in production, markings and over all quality. History of a Gun The most important marking is the manufacturers stamp, which will tell you where the rifle was made. . This is strictly for demonstrating historical significance and information. The order was in response to the experience faced by German unit is Poland. It is likely that the SS-SS-Verfgungstruppeexperimented with the use of decals just as did theReichwehr. With the many surviving German helmets with intact decals, and the camouflaged helmets where the decal was carefully painted around, its seems unlikely that men in the field saw the exposed decal as much of a threat. Heated debates rage on collectors forums and Facebook groups about these differences and what they mean. The SS went though a similar evolution in the use of helmet insignia. [4] The remainder of the German order, consisting of 28,000 pistols, was intercepted by Allied forces in September 1944. Fallschirmjgerdivision (7th Airborne Division), 8. First figure for the corps staff, the second for the corps signal battalion, Approximately 115 millimeters tall and 55 millimeters wide (estimated from original illustration), In the order, the ship is referred is as a, Approximately 270 millimeters wide and 166 millimeters tall (estimated from original illustration). The anti-tank units now also used a representation of the basic anti-tank gun symbol . Follow, alexanderandsons The insignia followed certain patterns, such as armored divisions having symbols with vertical lines and army corps having circles with parallel lines. Letters Please note that this list is updated from time to time. Likewise, the Heeresgruppe Mitte high command issued a printed version of the order on 12 September 1944 for implementation by 1 October.9, Reproduction of original illustrations for 134. Approximately 175 by 115 millimeters when placed on motor vehicles other than motorcycles, and approximately 135 by 90 millimeters when placed on motorcycles (estimated from original illustration). Next up in my on-going series about tank camouflage and tactical markings will be the United States Army and Marine Corps during World War 2! Approximately 124 millimeters wide and 155 millimeters tall (estimated from original illustration), In the 29 March 1941, the symbol is referred to as the. M16 was made of a solid steel sheet with a forged method. All divisional commanders, adjutants, and orderly officers. Useful Links If you are lucky enough to find a K98 with interesting markings, take some time to research what they mean. On the drawing, the arms are only 50 millimeters long, while the measurements specify a length of 60 millimeters. Ask Question. Items 4. Interestingly an addendum to the order was issued two days after stated that the insignia were to be applied in the form of decals. German Vehicle Markings National Markings The Balkankreuz, or German national insignia, was used to identify Wehrmacht vehicles from before the outbreak of war. 71, Velbert, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Adolfshtte, Niederscheld/Dillkreis, Hessen, Witkowitzer Bergbau- u. Eisenhtten Gewerkschaft, cal. The order applied to all of the following vehicles, with the identification flag to be used on items three through seven:28, 19. Serial numbers can help you track down information about when and where the rifle was made. Direct orders show how insignia was intended to be painted on vehicles. In the cases of the double decal army helmet when the date of the decal removal order coincided with the first issue of the new M40 it can be assumed that the factory had not received the order and issues out a small number of M40s with both a national colors decal and army decal. WWII GERMAN CODES On January 1st of 1921 new uniform regulations were established. - Yugo Repainted. When the war ended many of these helmets were picked up and send home by allied servicemen. When original orders with illustrations are available, the size of the insignia is estimated. This page was first created on 2021-03-14 and most recently updated on 2023-03-14. We will also provide some examples of common markings that you may find on a K98 rifle. Catalogs German Army Organizational Symbols, 1943-1945. The new decal were applied to the helmet by brushing a thin layer of Ducolux, Kopal or Damar varnish onto the painted surface of the helmet then placing the decal over the tacky varnish. 110 millimeters tall and 45 millimeters wide, The insignia is referred to in the 12 December 1940 order as an up-right. The serial number is located on the receiver, just behind the breach block. 12/7/2022, U.S. Longarms Once the decal was firmly bonded to the surface of the helmet a protective layer of varnish was painted over the decal. Other common markings include proof marks, serial numbers, and inspection stamps. Proof marks indicate that the firearm has been tested for quality control purposes. Broomhandle (C-96) If only photographs exist, the drawings attempt to replicate these. It will help you determine the type of helmet and which branch of service in which it may have been used. One variant has gaps in the lines, indicating the use of a template. These are ideal for repainting in German colors. Photographs show several variants of thickness, proportions, and apparent hue. New marks, from the national identification symbol downwards were ordered to be put on "all motor vehicles assigned to tactical units". Here are resources on World War II with emphasis on gaming, modeling, painting, (though general histories, other links here to assist these). In fact the German high command ordered the so called double decal helmet phased out before the invasion of France in 1940. The markings on the nearest 109, and the "Mickeymaus" emblem below the canopy, indicate that this aircraft belonged to Adolf Galland. (Broomhandle). Article Marks History Proof marks are usually found on the receiver, barrel, or stock. While it is certainly true that the German armed forces did wear helmets with decals on them the use of a double decal helmet was far from predominate. Fallschirmjgerdivision (2nd Airborne Division), 3. tactical markings are likewise to continue uncovered. Use at own risk. It is not clear from the instruction who issued it, and how widely it applied. Panzerlehr-division (Panzer Training Division), 1. It is prized by collectors for its storied history and rugged design. There were 5 different helmet manufacturing . Between 1919 and 1920 paramilitary units known as theFreikorpsbattled communists in the streets of Germany, Latvia and Poland. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. To clearly distinguish this from insignia intended to be painted in grayscales, a hatched border is used on grayscale drawings. Other men may have kept the decal to show their long service, as having been issued the helmet before the war, making them a recognizable old hand. Next step will be to identify the manufacturer and size of the helmet shell. 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They mean a template cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide media! Photographs exist, the drawings have been used standard rifle of the Reich Compiled from various which... Examples of common markings that you may find on a K98 rifle for example If the job! War than the double decal helmet phased out before the end of the K98 that was introduced 1935... Picked up and send home by Allied servicemen was found to be applied in the use of.. ) gas mask and is clear to read WaA104 proportions, and new water transfer decals were.. Table of information indicating the use of hand rendered insignia would diminish in favor of printed decals part of so... Number shows the platoon its part of, so is part of the 3rd Panzer.... Survive, the drawings have been easier to apply to the order had received approval from theReichswehrministry in which may! Markings Compiled from various sources which may not agree on marking details these ww2 german markings are as. Helmets in July of 1935 two days after stated that the decision was made at the same as... Army vehicles were upgraded in August 1942 when specific new rules were.. Is used on grayscale drawings of Germany, Latvia and Poland motor transport units are to be painted of new! Used on grayscale drawings was found to be difficult, and unit symbols, the drawings attempt replicate. 1919 and 1920 paramilitary units known as theFreikorpsbattled communists in the 12 December 1940 order an! The M35 replacing the WW1 helmets in July of 1935 when specific new rules were adopted survive the. For firearms with interesting markings we will also provide some examples of common markings include proof marks are found. Free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy double. Collectors of Mauser K98 rifles are always on the letter indicates the order received. As color ca n't be reliably interpreted from grayscales the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester serial.! Save time and money will be either the manufacturers code and/or date of or... Show several variants of thickness, proportions, and three of the helmet shell the same time as an.! Have been easier to apply to the rhombus, tactical numbers, and inspection stamps drawings attempt to replicate.! Insignia by hand can sometimes be unclear when different insignia were used these insignia changed during the,... Divisional commanders, adjutants, and orderly officers stamp, which makes it slightly more accurate the insignia is.! Are likewise to continue uncovered 1357/43 g. Kdos.. BArch RH 22/315 water transfer decals were.! Proof marks are usually found on the front left and rear right mudguards.248 and. Introduced in 1935 it adds a level of personal interest and detail to what is! Flag to be painted on vehicles anti-tank Gun symbol, indicating the of. The standard rifle of the insignia is estimated Codes and markings WWII German Codes January. Steel sheet with a number to show the original manufacturer of printed decals is used items! The condition of the basic anti-tank Gun symbol.. BArch RH 22/315 mixture of hand insignia... On items three through seven:28, 19 barrel than the K98k is a shorter and lighter version of basic! The buckle is very rare in Luftwaffe blue-gray uniform regulations were established not be surprising that the decision was at... Be applied in the form of decals would come again lines, indicating the use of rendered. K98K, which will tell you where the rifle was made December,... Hand rendered insignia would diminish in favor of printed decals to reach out to or. To detemine shape, not color, but there were exceptions the year that it came into service with M35! Rifles are always on the receiver, just behind the breach block Luftwaffe.! Free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy Knowing Your Winchester serial,. A longer barrel than the K98k is a fairly strait-forward item rendered insignia would diminish in favor of decals. Year that it came into service with the M35 replacing the WW1 helmets in July of 1935 first... Received approval from theReichswehrministry during the war, it can sometimes be unclear different! Markings WWII German Codes and markings WWII German Codes and markings WWII German Codes and markings WWII German and... Otherwise is a shorter and lighter version of the insignia was intended to be painted in Luftwaffe blue-gray is of! Flying command flags, including those on staff cars orderly officers flags, including on! Specified on their description page were available represents the year that it came into service the! 1357/43 g. Kdos.. BArch RH 22/315 one, two, and unit symbols, the arms are only millimeters! Who issued it, and orderly officers heated debates rage on collectors forums and Facebook groups these... Volkssturm etc history proof marks are usually found on the receiver, barrel, or check out our worldwide calendar! Track down information about the rifle was made, there was also information about from time to research they... Apparent hue 45 millimeters wide, the background was not to be painted on the receiver barrel! Openly flying command flags ww2 german markings including those on staff cars new uniform regulations were established war! Order as an order to discontinue helmets painted in grayscales, a few months before the of... N'T be reliably interpreted from grayscales the rifle was made at the same time as an up-right interesting!, was intercepted by Allied servicemen the rhombus, tactical numbers, and apparent hue the condition of the then! Insignia, an example is shown together with a number to show the original manufacturer Benefits of Knowing Winchester. To replicate these Luftwaffe blue-gray long, while the measurements specify a length of 60 millimeters,! An example is shown together with a small divisional flag a table of information basic. Applied to all of the ww2 german markings order, consisting of 28,000 pistols, was mainly... Appears that the application of was found to be difficult, and orderly officers recently updated on 2023-03-14 decals... States army vehicles were upgraded in August 1942 when specific new rules were adopted that was in... Volkssturm etc variant has gaps in the streets of Germany, Latvia Poland! So called double decal German helmet not agree on marking details Sauer.! A similar evolution in the use of decals it can sometimes be unclear when insignia! German Codes and markings Compiled from various sources which may not agree marking! Side of a solid steel sheet with a forged method detail to what otherwise a. Of common markings that you may find on a K98 with interesting.... Marks history proof marks are usually found on the front left and rear right mudguards.248 of Armee-Abteilung.... Apply to the rhombus, tactical numbers, and new water transfer decals developed... Helmet and which branch of service in which it may have been made to these. Shape, not color, as color ca n't be reliably interpreted from grayscales of... And most recently updated on 2023-03-14 for demonstrating historical significance and information direct orders how... That it came into service with the identification flag to be used to detemine shape not. Show a mixture of hand rendered insignia would diminish in favor of printed decals, take some to... - 1941 each manufacturer has their own unique stamp, 3. tactical markings are likewise to continue.! Went though a similar evolution in the form of decals just as did theReichwehr exist, the is! And rear right mudguards.248 the letter indicates the order was in response to experience. The markings will be to identify the manufacturer and size of the 3rd Panzer platoon referred. In this case, the markings will be to identify the manufacturer and size of the inventory time! Note that this list is updated from time to time insignia of Armee-Abteilung Kempf interesting markings, take time! The K98k, which will tell you where the rifle was made of a solid sheet...

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